Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-09

OFFICE OF THE ENGINEER COMMISSIONER,
WASHINGTON, D. c.
Col. Vim. Ludlo,v, Engineer Commissioner:
SIR: In accordance with your Instructions
ence to the published allegations touching the
past administration OF the water Department.:
only answer that can be made is to the newspapers
articles that have appeared To take the charges
in their order: First. That mistake was made in
locating the distributing reservoir; that 1t should
have been located on the "heights above Tenley-
town, which would give sufficient pressure to
throw water over the Capitol" II this was a
who only gave sufficient elevation to the
waters OF the Potomac above Great Falls
70 ns city at the s es sionsoi Of Ss by sS
uIing reservoir, VIZ 146 feet above tide Either
this must be changed or the water supply OF the
pumped TO height OF 25O feet and made to over
come the vertical difference in elevation between
the distributing reservoir and the heights above
TenleytOwn, which are about 400 feet above tide
This would cost between $40 900 and $780, 600 per
year. beside the first cost OF pumping Plant, with
Second. The statements In regard to Senator
MOrgaps resolution OF June "a, 1884, are made in
such manner as to give them the appearance of
truth, while In TACT they are merely half truths
told with Intent to deceive The inference is that
the resolution only called for statements as to the
ment, and that the answer to very simple request
was unnecessarily delayed.
The truth OF the matter Is that the resolution in
question was OF q much more comprehensive char
acter, embracing, practically, the entire business
| OF the District Government In detail for the ten
years from 1875 to 1884, as shown by the follow
| SResolued, That the Commissioners of the Dis
trct OF Columbia be directed to report to the Sem
for each OF the fiscal years from 1875 to 1884 In
elusive In each of the four quarters Of the city OF
washington, IN Georgetown and in the county Of
| aggregate amount expended in each OF said six
divisions for each OF said ten years for street i'm
prOvementS OF all kinds, including the replacement
OF WOOD, stone, and macadam pavements, new
pavemenrs. laying sidewalks, regulating, grading,
and nlling up streets, repairs to concrete pave
i NIT work, and for repairs to streets, avenues al
4 Ieys, county roads, suburban streets, &C. Also a
the taxes That have been
I> "ameaMes IN the District OF Columbia,
ROAD ~sEstsd by steam or other power, for
whether !, '67A, and the amount OF taxes as
each year since. "m each Of said companies
sessed and collectep the amount remaining
fSs nncosetso sass Sa s1a aSs SsaI 1sr each
- "Res9tuea, That the com@issione.- e e
the senate statement OF the receipts d.
disDurssments on account OF the water depart
ment, or wafer 1und for each year from 1875 to
1854, inclusive stating the amount received from
eacn separaee s source, and when, where, and for
1t must be apparent to any one in the least az
quainted with public affairs that to prepare the
The allegation that the answer IN r. conta,nad
IN senate Ex. DOC. 104, I'd session 48th Congress
"was the work OF about four hours for a compe.
tent clerk,"is IN keeping with the other state
ments. the criticisms on the bookkeeping OF the
water department. % apply only to the period COW
ered Dy Ine report prior to the organization OF the
present system OF government, and when the de-
partment was under the charge OF q water regis
@ trar VINO: lor portion OF the ume was also col
Of1cer.
Statements are made that SIT viii be seen by
tnis rspV 0a tne Commissioners to the Senate
mains rom DecemDer !, 1876 to June 80, 1884 |
were $4aG 06Ol7. and that there are some small
expenditures which may be charged against this